GIANTS recruiting manager Adrian Caruso reveals an Eagle that got away as he joined the Road to the Draft podcast, discussing the club’s recruiting strategy and plenty more in an in-depth chat.
The GIANTS went to the 2016 NAB AFL Draft confident of picking up a certain small forward, but West Coast spoiled the plan.
The GIANTS missed out then but stocked up on small forwards last year, and Caruso discusses the club's recruiting philosophy to land Brent Daniels and Zac Langdon.
Caruso also said the GIANTS’ focus may shift at recruiting time this year after a couple of successful seasons fulfilling needs for the team.
Caruso, who moved into the role after the 2016 season, said there had been a particular focus to find good competitors who could stand up in the big moments.
“When I took over in this role we had just lost the prelim to the 'Dogs and, watching us then, the things that we spoke about were we need guys who can stand up in the big moments in the big finals,” he said on AFL Media’s Road to the Draft podcast.
“You talk about the ability to win contested footy, the ability to be strong defensively. So that’s been pretty much our focus.
“You look at guys like (Tim) Taranto, (Matt) de Boer – last year we brought in (Aiden) Bonar and (Sam) Taylor – those good competitors with athleticism who will actually do the defensive stuff as well.”
But now Caruso says the GIANTS may shift their focus this season, having fulfilled that need - and points out that there is an obvious need to recruit more than one type of player.
“I think the one thing you always need to look at is character and what we find, as part of our philosophy, being important is resilience,” he said.
“The kids who tend to come to Sydney and stay with us are the resilient boys who have got that perseverance in their make-up.”
Caruso also spoke to AFL Media’s Callum Twomey and Nat Edwards about the GIANTS’ top pick in the 2017 NAB AFL Draft, and number 11 overall, Aiden Bonar.
He said the 188cm midfielder had rocketed up the draft order late in the season after a quiet start to the year and two knee reconstructions in the previous two seasons.
“At the start of the year, we through he was going to be tied to Melbourne NGA (Next Generation Academy),” Caruso said.
“That was the information we were being given. He didn’t play until June – we sort of knew about him, but we’d never seen him play. He played a couple of school games and showed a bit. He really didn’t get going, to be honest. He didn’t play a dominant game, (just) bits and pieces.
“I suppose the turning point for him was probably that All Stars game on Grand Final day. I wasn’t a big advocate for that game, but you went to that game and you’re actually seeing him play in the most AFL-like game that he’s ever played in on the MCG and he was dominant against his peers.
“That gave us the confidence that … yes, it’s a punt, it’s pick 11 in the draft, but that was the day that we realised he’s good enough to be there.”
Caruso also spoke on the Road to the Draft podcast about the GIANTS’ main Academy prospects for 2019 and more draft and club news.
AFL Media’s Road to the Draft episode guide
6:35 – The NAB AFL Draft Combine list was revealed last week. Caruso chats through the process of nominations and if there were any surprises.
10:20 – Where would last year's No.1 pick Cam Rayner fit in this year's draft?
12:39 – Who are the GIANTS’ main Academy prospects this year and will they end up at the club?
16:20 – Caruso reveals when the GIANTS identified Aiden Bonar as their top pick ahead of last year's draft.
19:00 – How the Eagles pipped the GIANTS
31:20 – Is Dylan Shiel a chance to leave the GIANTS? Caruso discusses the club's group of high-profile free agents in 2019.
34:28 – What is the perfect draftee? Caruso gives his take on the ideal prospect to suit the modern game.
